The ride from Mom's cafe in Sooke to Jordan River has been canceled. This is due to the threat of snow! (Insert scathing Westerner crack here) Elevation and tricky descents coupled with snow, ice, and wet roads make the 1/2hour drive and 3hour ride a dangerous investment. There will still be a ride that leaves from the Tillicum Mall Starbucks at 10:30 for all interested parties. Rides are continuing until the 4th of January (all leaving at 10:30 a.m. from the aforementioned Starbucks.)

There will be another training camp in Spring 2004. Hopefully, this camp will offer goodies such as training tips, athletic testing, gear and goodies, as well as a follow vehicle. Stay tuned for further developments.

The IOC (International Olympic Committee) has been developing policies to address the issue of transexual (sex-change) athletes participating in the Olympics. A committee of medical experts has reportedly suggested that transexual athletes should be eligible to participate in Olympic events once a certain period of time has passed after their sex-change operation. The committee did not specify exactly how much time, saying it would depend upon the results of horomone therapy, and whether or not the effects of such therapy had worn off. The policy would cover both male-to-female and female-to-male athletes. The rules could potentially be in place for the Athens Olympics.

U.S. Cyclist Tests Positive

Adham Sbeih, a member of the Sierra Nevada-Clif Bar team tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO) at the USCF Elite Track National Championships in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania on August 26, 2003. Sbeih's positive was announced by the USOC (United States Olympic Committee), along with six positives by track and field athletes. All seven athletes are disputing the findings.